HASSET ET AL BA. Flashcards
Summary
Toy preferences examined in monkeys-whose behavior is regarded as more biologically controlled than children’s.
A behavioral checklist used to observe and code interactions with stereotypical male and female toys- Study did not involve huma participants. Data from another study of children used.
Psychology being investigated
-Whether m and f Rhesus monkeys show diffetential preferences for certai toy types. like how children do.
-Role of social rank in toy interactions was explored too, alongside question of whether these preferences might be hormonally organised. E.g nurture vs nature debate plays seminal role.
Psychology being investigated continued
Study builds upon existing lit, such as Alexander and Hines’ 2002 study on vervet monkeys, + draws upon established theories like those of Wallen 2005 and maccoby 1998 on the influence if prenatal androgens, socialisation, respectively.
Study investigates several psychological aspects related t toy preferences, focusing on sex differences, socialization, play, and role of hormones.
Sex differences
Study explores well-established sex differences in toy preferences, with ms showing stromger interest for masculine toys and girls often no statistically sgnificant preference.
This difference is examined not only in humans, but also in rhesus monkeys-attraction of males towards wheeled toys; paralleling human preferences.
Socialisation
Traditional views suggest that socialization processes, e.g parent or peer play encouragement, are the primary forces shaping these sex diffs in toy preferences.
This views posits that societal endorsements of toys as masculine or feminine drive children’s toy preferences to conform to expected gender roles. However, this study suggest that these sex diffs in toy preferences can develop without explicit gendered socialization, indicating that factors other than socialization might factor in too.
Play and Activity Preferences
Study considers possibility that toy preferences may reflect biologically determined preferences for specific toys, such as active manipulation or cradling. This perspective suggests that diffs may arise from their differing activity preferences shaped by different prenatal hormonal environments.
Role of Hormones
Prenatal Hormone exposure, particularly androgens, is known to influence children toy preferences.
Study references evidence from girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia-CAH, who exhibit more boy typical toy preferences than their unaffected sisters or control girls.
This finding suggests that toy preferences are sensitive to prenatal androgen exposure, supporting hypotheses that bio factors influence and shape preferences.
BACKGROUND
Based on interaction between bio predispositions and socialization processes in the development and differentiation of behavior.
Study explores how pre-existing preferences, possibly biologically determined, shape the developmental environment, which in turn influence subsequent experiences.
This principle suggests that both bio and socialization are necessary for development.
AIM
Main aim is to investigate whether rhesus monkeys exhibit gender specific preferences for human-stereotyped masculine and feminine toys, and to determine if such preferences are rooted in evolved sex diffs rather than socialization processes.
METHOD- Subjects and sampling techs
Group of 135 rhesus monkeys (macaca mulatta), living in a multi-male, multi-female social structure at the Yerkes National Primate centre Field station. The animals had lived together for over 25 years.
14 excluded due to prior hormonal treatment and another 39 newborns weren’t coded due to identification issues. Leaving 61 females and 21 males as potential subjects.
They were housed in 25mx25m outdoor enclosures.
METHOD-materials
2 types of toys categorized by physical properties rather than traditional gender labels: wheeled and plush. analogy to masculine and feminine ones.
METHOD-Experimental design and Controls.
Repeated measures. Non participant covert Observational research design.
Seven 25 min trials.
Before each trial, monkeys separated indoors and one wheeled and one plus toy placed 10m apart outdoors.
Monkeys then released and interactions were videotaped. Toy placement was counterbalanced across trials to avoid location bias becoming a confounding variable. ABBA.
METHOD-Data collection
Interactions with toys recorded, specific behaviors coded. 2 observers worked collaboratively to ensure consistency in coding behaviors-inter observer reliability.
Data entered into Palm Pilots equipped with Handobs, a program designed for entering time-stamped behavioral info. Social rank of monkeys also included as variables for analysis.
Variables
Dependent: Interaction with toys, specific behaviors (e.g picking, sniffing, carrying, destroying), social rank, age.
Independent: Type and toy placement.
Ethics (Ethical Considerations)
The study followed guidelines set by the NIH and was approved by Emory’s Institutional Animal care and use committee. Proper care and housing given, with space, fruits and water, and pain and distress mitigation.
